HYDROXYL RADICAL SCAVENGERS ENHANCE NITRIC OXIDE-EVOKED ACETYLCHOLINE-RELEASE FROM MOUSE CEREBRAL CORTICAL-NEURONS

The effect of hydroxyl radical scavengers on acetylcholine (ACh) relea se evoked by nitric oxide (NO) generators and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NM DA) was investigated. Dimethylthiourea enhanced dose-dependently NO ge nerators-evoked ACh release. Similarly, uric acid and mannitol signifi cantly facilitated ACh release evoked by NO generators. The NMDA-induc ed ACh release was also significantly facilitated by hydroxyl radical scavengers. These scavengers themselves showed no effects on ACh relea se. These results suggest that hydroxyl radicals may modify the mechan ism for NO-evoked ACh release.